Before kickoff today, José Mourinho might invoke Tuesday’s night’s action, and not just to laugh at Liverpool. For Manchester United could take inspiration from Red Star Belgrade and stage a famous victory against opponents who lorded it over them a fortnight ago. Mourinho said after his team’s comprehensive 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford two weeks ago. United have won both their domestic matches since then without showing enough improvement to suggest they can win today in Turin, or even draw. If they lose, they could drop to third in their group (if Valencia beat Young Boys).

On the other hand, if United were to win, then what a momentous result that would be! It would certainly raise their mood in advance of Sunday’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City, where another good result would mark this down as probably a pivotal week in the history of United under Mourinho. It’s a big one for Paul Pogba, too, for he will surely have to be at his best on his return to Juve if United are win.